Blazers' new home confirmed
By Derek deChabert
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Boulevard and Dandy Town pictured playing against each other last season. In the upcoming campaign the two Premier Division sides will share the same ground.
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Boulevard Blazers striker Angelo Simmons has offered his thanks to Dandy Town after the Hornets confirmed they would allow their urban rivals to play their home matches at St. John's Field this season.
Blazers were in the precarious position of being kicked out of the Premier Division had they not met Bermuda Football Association's (BFA) deadline to find a place to call home.
Before getting permission to use St. John's Field, the club had failed in their attempts to persuade either St. David's or St. George's to share their pitches.
And it appeared Dandy Town would be their last hope.
After Hornets held an executive meeting over the weekend, it was agreed to let Boulevard use their facilities.
Simmons said he was delighted with the decision and believed both the players and fans could now look forward to the season and put all the speculation about a home ground behind them as they prepare for Sunday's Charity Cup match against League champions Devonshire Cougars at Wellington Oval.
"We heard over the weekend that we would use St. John's as our home field," said Simmons. "I would like to thank Dandy Town for letting us use the field because truthfully they didn't have to give us a pitch to play on, so thank you for that.
"I'm happy that all of this talk about us not having a field can finally be put to bed and that we can go ahead and look forward to the upcoming season.
"(Coach) Andrew (Bascome) stayed with the club, so we are pleased with that as well.
"It has been a long month for us in terms of all the talk about us not being in the league, but now that we are in we can look to the Charity on Sunday and focus on that.
"Everyone is happy and thankful for Dandy Town, that's the main thing."
Many believed the absence of Boulevard in the top flight would have dealt a severe blow to local football with the side boasting a long and successful history.
Now heading into Sunday's match with cross-town rivals Cougars, Simmons reckoned his side are ready after a hard but enjoyable preseason during which their Premier Division lives were on the line.
"It would have been devastating had we not been allowed to play in the league as we have been one of the main contenders for the league in recent times," said Simmons.
"We want to compete and not being given the chance to play would have hurt us.
"We have been training hard in the preseason and have a side to compete in all competitions. We have been working hard to get the wrinkles ironed out.
"For Sunday we are looking to go out and enjoy the day but also try and win.We have a lot of young guys in our squad with Andrew bringing them through so we will go out and try to find the right balance.
"That said, we will field a good team, a strong team and look to compete."
